Mt. Holly winds season down with benefit, beach party

Sarah A. Miller | The Flint JournalSki Patrolers Lynn Hunt of Grand Blanc and Dan Mikolaizik of Grand Blanc sell leis, beads and raffle tickets as a fundraiser for injured ski partroller Tim Gaffney of Lapeer Sunday afternoon at Mt. Holly. Gaffney was injured in a ski accident at Otsego Ski Area in February.
(Sarah A. Miller | The Flint Journal)GROVELAND TWP., Michigan — As temperatures rise, Mt. Holly Ski Patrol raised $2,000 to assist the family of one of their patrollers who was severely injured last month.

Tim Gaffney has volunteered with the Mt. Holly Ski Patrol for the last 25 years. But now Gaffey 's the one who needs help after an accident on the slopes. Last month, the 60-year-old Lapeer man veered from the path while volunteering at the Otsego Ski Area. He suffered a traumatic head injury and fractured his pelvis in seven places.

"Tim has been just a valued member of the patrol for so long," said Mt. Holly Ski Resort General Manager Mark Tibbitts. "He's in such unfortunate condition that I had to pitch in
and help."

Mt. Holly donated the venue, a portion of the concession profits and
some of the prizes for the raffle like season passes to the ski resort
and a ride on the snow groomer.

The injuries could have been a lot worse, said Mt. Holly Ski Patroller Lynn Hunt, of Grand Blanc.

"He split his helmet he had," Hunt said. "Thank God he had a helmet."

After a month in intensive care, Gaffey will now have three to four months of rehabilitation ahead of him

The ski patrol wanted to help with his expenses.

Patrollers sold leis and raffle tickets to help raise some funds for their comrade on the slopes.

The slopes also got a taste of the warm weather as Mt. Holly held its annual beach party and barbecue in the 45 degree weather.

People sported Hawaiian shirts and leis as they glided down the snowy mountain attempting to soak up as much slope time before the season ends.

"I come here like every other day," said snowboarder Joey Korff, 13, of Holly Township, sporting an electric blue and green Hawaiian shirt.

Sarah A. Miller | The Flint JournalJoey Korff, 13, of Holly Township watches and waits for his friends at the top of Mt. Holly Sunday afternoon so they can go snowboarding. Some skiers and snowboarders donned Hawaiian and spring themed clothes for the annual Beach Party day which included a barbecue and music.
(Sarah A. Miller | The Flint Journal)